What you need to know about COVID-19 in Ottawa Saturday, March 14

Recent developments:

• Two new confirmed cases in Ottawa this morning bring city's total to five.
• Ottawa Public Health asking all people returning to Canada from another country to self-isolate for 14 days.
• Gatineau's new screening centre on boulevard Saint-Raymond opens at an undisclosed time today.
• Ontario recommending long-term care homes only allow essential visitors.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms of COVID-19 range from a very mild, cold-like illness to a severe lung infection. The most common symptoms include fever, fatigueand a dry cough.

A trip to the emergency room is necessary if anyone has difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion or inability to wake up and bluish lips or face, the World Health Organization says.

• Do I have COVID-19, the flu or a cold?

The WHO says about one out of every sixpeople who contractCOVID-19 becomeseriously ill and developdifficulty breathing.

Older people, those with compromised immune systemsand those with underlying medical problems such as high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetesare more likely to develop serious illness.

The experience in Italy and China suggests as many as 10 per cent of people infected can require critical care.

The Public Health Agency of Canada says the risk to the general public is low.

The coronavirusprimarily spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can also spread through close, prolonged contact, such as touching or shaking hands andit can spread from person to person via surfaces like door handles, mobile phones, tables and light switches.

There is no vaccine and no drugs to treat COVID-19. Hospitals can only help manage the symptoms.

What if I have symptoms?

Ifyou are experiencing shortness of breath or other severe symptoms, you should go to the emergency room and look for special signs.

People with mild symptoms who have notleftCanada nor been in close contact with a confirmed case should, as has always been the case, stay at home.

These people are encouraged to read Ottawa Public Health's information page and call TeleHealthat 1-866-797-0000 with any further questions.

Anyone who feels sick and has recently travelled outside Canada orhas been in contact with someone who has recently travelled should self-isolate at home as quickly as possible and seek guidance from Ottawa Public Health.

They may be eligible for a test.

How do we get tested?

Ottawa Public Health has now opened its community assessment centre at Brewer Arena. Therepeople with mild cold and flu symptoms can be assessedand if they meet necessary criteria, get tested for COVID-19.

The centre is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at151 Brewer Way, off Bronson Avenue near Carleton University.

• What to do in Ottawa if you think you might have COVID-19

It's meant to divert non-emergency cases away from hospitals.

You don't need to call ahead.

You're asked not to take public transit if you are going to the arena. Other sites should be opening in Ottawa, with Gatineau'sdowntown location opening today.

What is the current situation in Ottawa?

In Ottawa public events are being cancelled, many people are being asked or told to work from home and most schools are closed or have moved classes online.

CBC Ottawa is keeping a running list of local cancellations because of COVID-19.

City of Ottawa facilities to close until Apr. 5

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Mayor Jim Watson announced Friday that the city is shutting down recreation facilities, pools and libraries until at least April 5 as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19.

It's a temporary public health strategyaimed at slowing the potential spread of COVID-19and buying time so the health care system doesn't get overwhelmed by a sudden spike in patients.

• Canadians being urged to help 'flatten the curve' of COVID-19

Five people in Ottawahave tested positive for COVID-19, includingSophie Grgoire Trudeau. Two new cases were confirmed Saturday morning, butwithout any further details.

There have also been two COVID-19 cases in theTrenton, Ont., quarantine for returning cruise ship passengersand one in a person who visitedMont-Laurier, Que.

The local public health authority says there's no risk to the public in the Trenton area.

How do I protect myself and others?

Ottawa Public Health advises people to take the following measures to reduce the risk:

• Clean your hands frequently with soap and water, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay at home if you are sick, which includes not visiting others in hospitalor a care home.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze.
• If you don't have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm.
• Get a yearly flu vaccination.
• Consider social distancing, or staying two metres or more away from other people. This is the reason behind many cancellations.

Heres how to properly use hand sanitizer

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Do you know the most effective way to use hand sanitizer? Ottawa pharmacist Chen Zhou explains the technique.

For more information

• Ottawa Public Health,
• the Eastern Ontario Health Unit,
• the Ontario Ministry of Health(in several languages),
• the Public Health Agency of Canada.
• the Centre intgr de sant et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais(in French).

What if I have more questions?

As of Thursday, March 12, OPH was reporting "significant call volumes" at its 613-580-6744 number and said its priority was to hear from:

• Health care providers reporting information.
• Residents who've travelled to Iran, Italy or China's Hubei province.
• Residents who've travelled outside Canada and are experiencing symptoms like fever, coughing and breathing difficulties.
• Residents who've been in close contact with someone who's travelled abroad and are beginning to experience those same symptoms.

Anyone else should first read through their coronavirus website or phone TeleHealth at 1-866-797-0000.

The average call back time forTeleHealth calls has been between two and threehours, a spokesperson said Friday.

For western Quebec residents, Info-Sant 811 was also reporting "technical difficulties" Thursday and said people may have problems reaching someone on the other end.

If you do not have symptoms, you do not need to be swabbed for COVID-19

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Dr. Andrew Willmore, medical director of emergency management at the Ottawa Hospital, says only people who have symptoms of a respiratory illness, such as a mild fever, will be tested at the Brewer Arena.

Travellers still face highest risk in Ottawa

As of Saturday, March 14, people returning from all travel abroadare advised to self-isolate for 14 days, no matter whether they experience any symptoms.

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If these people start feeling symptoms, theyare asked to stay away from other people as quickly as possible and call a doctor or OPH.

Medical officer of health Dr. Vera Etches said there is currently no evidence of community transmission in the Ottawa area, which occurs when the virus doesn't come from a known sourcesuch as travelling to a region withpositive cases.

COVID-19 testing centre opens Friday at Brewer Arena, city says

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Dr. Vera Etches, with Ottawa Public Health, says the centre will focus on administering tests to people with mild symptoms who have travelled outside of Canada or who have been in close contact with a confirmed case.

What if I have travel plans?

Chief Public Officer of Health Dr. Theresa Tam said Friday Canadians should postpone or cancel travel plans outside the countryand avoid all cruises.

Transportation Minister Marc Garneau said Friday international flights to Canada will be restricted to certain airports; specific airports have not been released.

Global Affairs Canada has issued COVID-19-related travel notices for China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Spain.

The department is advising all Canadians travelling anywhere internationally to return to Canada on commercial flights while they are available.

Travel advice from the federal government can be found on Global Affairs Canada's website.

Several U.S. states, including New York, Washington, and Florida, have declared states of emergency because of COVID-19.